Terry concludes that Fingers is smarter than an ordinary gorilla, and does some investigating. He finds that the zoologists' lab contains splicing chemicals. Batman confronts the zoologists, who admit that they illegally spliced enhanced human DNA into a gorilla, which now has an enhanced and still-increasing intelligence.
A public viewscreen shows a story about animal conservationist James Van Dyle. Fingers smashes the screen in a rage and angrily mutters "Van Dyle".
That night, Batman catches up to Fingers, who angrily asks why humans can't just leave gorillas alone. He tells Batman his story: Years ago, Van Dyle and his crew captured him and his mother. Batman tells him that if this is true, Van Dyle is a poacher who will be punished, and tries to convince Fingers to leave things to him. Fingers agrees to stay out of sight until dawn.
Batman heads out to Van Dyle's animal preserve and goes into stealth mode to take a look around. There, he spots one of the staff remove a radio tracking chip that had been implanted into another gorilla by a legitimate zoologist—proof that the animal had been taken illegally. Unfortunately, Van Dyle's cybernetic eye can see through the Batsuit's stealth mode, and he catches Batman off-guard and tasers him.
Meanwhile, Fingers decides that he's waited long enough and heads for the animal preserve. He rescues Batman, who had been tossed into the lion cage. Commissioner Gordon arrives with the police to confront Van Dyle, who denies any wrongdoing. Fingers steps forward, calling Van Dyle a liar and demanding to know what happened to his mother. Van Dyle doesn't know since all gorillas are the same to him, which enrages Fingers to the point of trying to kill him until Batman manages to talk him down.
Finally, Bruce and Terry return Fingers to Africa. He declines an injection to undo the genetic tampering, and declares that he intends to use his enhanced intelligence to protect his home from other poachers.
Tropes:
- Badass Boast: Fingers' final lines are an understated but firm version:Fingers: I've been given a gift. I'm strong as a gorilla, but smart as a human. I'm going to use it.
Terry: How?
Fingers: There'll be more poachers. There'll always be more. But now they're going to have to deal with me. - Bittersweet Ending: Fingers may never find his mother again but Van Dyle is arrested and the now talking, humanly cunning gorilla swears to keep his newfound corner of Africa safe from poachers.
- But for Me, It Was Tuesday: Van Dyle tells Fingers that he has no idea what happened to Fingers' mother; she was just another gorilla that he sold to somebody. Fingers doesn't take this very well.
- Continuity Snarl: Due to the series being made before Justice League, the fact that Gorilla City is never mentioned is quite glaring.
- Considering that this show is set in the future, it's entirely possible that Gorilla City no longer exists for some inexplicable reason.
- Electronic Eyes: Van Dyle has a cybernetic left eye with infrared vision, which enables him to detect Batman in stealth mode and spot Fingers when he hides in the foliage.
- Humans Are Bastards: Fingers' experiences with humans have understandably led him to believe this. Batman manages to earn his trust, however.
- If You Kill Him, You Will Be Just Like Him!: Batman talks Fingers out of killing Van Dyle by pointing out that he's behaving like a human.
- "Not So Different" Remark: Bruce recognizes Fingers as a creature much like himself and Terry where it counts:Terry: He knows who we are.
Bruce: I don't think we need to worry. He's a kindred spirit if I've ever seen one. - Outside Ride: Fingers does this a couple times, first clinging to a train to get away from Batman and then to a police car when he decides to go looking for Van Dyle.
- P.O.V. Cam: The episode opens with a Fingers'-eye view of the street, finally showing a reflection revealing that he's a gorilla.
- Unusually Uninteresting Sight: Fingers gets a ride in a cab. The driver assumes he's just a guy in a costume. Justified as Fingers deliberately hailed the cab in front of a movie studio.
- Villain with Good Publicity: Van Dyle runs a wildlife rehab facility and is generally believed to be a legitimate conservationist.
